The "pragmatic" Kevin Drum writes:

If Democrats want to pass a healthcare bill, there's only one way to do it: the House needs to pass the existing Senate bill and then the two sides need to agree to a few limited changes. These changes would be passed through both House and Senate via "reconciliation," which allows budget-related measures to be passed with a simple majority.

(Emphasis supplied.) Kevin apparently has not been listening - the House Dems will not play the "and then" game. They do not trust the Senate, and with good reason. Exhibit A is Kent Conrad. here is the political reality Village Dems - the House will not pass the Stand Alone Senate Bill "and then" wait for the Senate to agree to a reconciliation fix. They must happen at the same time. That's just the way it is. Deal with it.

Speaking for me only